The Igbo Spirituality. The spiritual system of The Igbo People is one of the oldest in the universe. The roots of Igbo spirituality is the same as the roots of every other African spirituality. Igbo spirituality predates Islam, Christianity, Judaism, hinduism, budhaism etc. If there are any similarities between the traditional practices of the Igbo spirituality and other religions, it is because they were borrowed from our ancestors, and not the other way around. The ancient spirituality of the Igbo people, like most other traditional African spiritual systems, has been misunderstood and demonized unjustly by European missionaries, with the help of it local puppet priests, government and recently through the local film industry, it has helped to paint a negative picture of traditional Igbo spirituality that dates back to the arrival of the Europeans in Igboland. It is quite unfortunate that most of the people who condemn Igbo spirituality do not know much about it, and base most of their information from European miseducation and misinformation, pathetically from the very same people who wanted to destroy everything about the Igbo culture, spirituality and people. While all the misconceptions about the traditional practices of the Igbo people can be corrected with the help of electronic medias/forums and freedom of information bill pass by the countrys national assemble. The introduction to Igbo Spirituality will help clear a few things up. The basis of Igbo Spirituality is the concept of “Chi.” Similar to the “Ka” of Ancient Egyptians, Chi was the fundamental force of creation. Everyone and everything has a Chi. The Igbo people, like other Africans, worshiped one Creator, who is known by numerous names: Obasi Dielu (The Supreme God), Chi di ebere (God the merciful), Odenigwe (The Ruler of Heavens), etc. The two most popular names for Supreme Being used amongst the Igbo people are Chiukwu/Chukwu and Chinaeke/Chineke. The dominant name, Chukwu, which is a combination of the Igbo words “Chi” and “Ukwu”, which means Supreme God and literally means “The Big Chi” as the name connote, it shows that Igbos believed that the Supreme Being was omnipresent. Chineke, which most people translate as “God the Creator” actually has a deeper meaning. Chi is the masculine aspect of God and Eke is the feminine aspect. The Igbo people knew that it took male and female to create life, so the Creator of everything would have to encompass both parts because the Igbo people believed that everything in it had a Chi, they also gave names to the Chi found in nature (the Alusi). The Alusi of the sky was known as Igwe. The Alusi of the yams (the most important crop of the Igbo people) was called Ahiajoku. The Alusi of the Sun was called Anyanwu. The most important of the forces of Nature was Ani, which was the feminine force that presided over the Earth. The Alusi is not limited to natural forces; metaphysical and supernatural forces and principles also had their own names and attributes. Ikenga was the Alusi of strength and Agwu was the Alusi of wisdom and healing. Each Alusi had its invididual personality and function, but they all were still parts of Chukwu. The Ndiichie ( ancestor spirits) also held a high place in traditional Igbo society. Elders have always been revered in Igbo society, and even more so after they transit onto the spirit(Mmuo) sphere. The Ndiichie would often be consulted to offer advice to their descendants and appeal to the Alusi on their behalf. The Igbo people never worship their ancestors, only venerated them, which is no different than what christians do to their saints and muslims to their martyrs or what every country does to its national heroes. Respect and honor for the Ndiichie was shown in one way by pouring of libations while chanting incantations. The Igbo people believed in the concept of reincarnation, for Ndiichie often reincarnate back as human beings. In fact, all Mmadu (human beings) were believed to reincarnate as many times it pleases as it depend mostly on ones karma, one either ascends or descends into another spiritual plane. The personal relationship between Chi(God) and Man in Igbo spirituality is as close as it can get. The Igbo people did not believe that they were separate from their Creator(Chi) that the Chi that resided within them kept them connected. The Igbo Chi is unique and personal and served as a guide and protector to self. A person’s destiny was also guided by his Chi. Those with a strong Chi would have prosperity, good health and good fortune, whilst those with a weak Chi would be prone to sickness, poverty and bad luck, this sequence is base on karma. Currently the Igbo people are mostly Christians as a result of European colonial subjugation but still the Igbo traditional spirituality is still practice by many
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:42:12 +0000